The Royal Navy at the Start of the Twilight War

[dragoon500ly]

Personnel: 54,850 personnel; 7,410 Royal Marines; 2,500 Royal Fleet Auxiliary; 2,090 Royal Navy Auxiliary Service; 5,750 Royal Navy Reserve; 1,500 Royal Maritime Auxiliary Service and some 70,000 civilian administrative and dockyard employees.

Naval Aviation: 39 Sea Harrier FRS.1 V/STOL fighters; 72 Sea King HAS.5/6 ASW helos; 10 Sea King AEW.2A AEW helos; 28 Sea King HC.2 troop-carrying helos; 78 Lynx HAS.3 ASW helos. Royal Air Force operates 28 Nimrod MR.2 maritime patrol aircraft; 3 Nimrod R.2 EQ aircraft; 24 Buccaneer S.2 maritime strike aircraft.

The Royal Navy has plans to modernized 29 Sea Harrier FRS.1 to the FRS.2 standard as well as plans to purchase an additional 10 FRS.2. 44 Merlin HAS.1 ASW helos have been ordered (last to be in service by 1998), 7 Sea Lynx HAS.3 will be modified to the HAS.8 standard (in service by 1993-94).

Several Royal Navy ships are fitted with the US Mk15 Phalanx CIWS; plans are to replace these, one-for-one with the new Goalkeeper CIWS.

ASW AIRCRAFT CARRIERS
3 Invincible-class
R 05 Invincible; R 06 Illustrious; R 07 Ark Royal
Displacement of 20,600 tons. Speed of 28kts. Crew of 723 + air group of 368. Armament consists of one twin Sea Dart SAM launcher, three Goalkeeper (Phalanx in Ark Royal) CIWS and two single 20mm AA Guns. Air Group generally consists of 8 Sea Harrier, 9 Sea King ASW and 3 Sea King AEW helos.

STRATEGIC MISSILE NUCLEAR-POWERED SUBMARINES
0 +4 Vanguard-class SSBN
S ? Vanguard; S ? Victorious; S ? Vigilant; S ? Venerable
Displacement of 15,850 tons submerged. Speed of 20/25kts (surf/subm). Crew of 135. Armament consists of sixteen Trident D-5 SLBM and 4 533mm torpedo tubes with a mix of Harpoon, Spearfish and Tigerfish. Slated to start entering service in 1994 with the last one in 1997. Construction has been delayed by numerous delays and cost overruns.

4 Resolution-class SSBN
S 22 Resolution; S 23 Repulse; S 26 Renown; S 27 Revenge
Displacement of 7,600/8,500 tons. Speed of 20/25kts. Crew of 143. Armament of 16 Polaris SLBM and 6 533mm torpedo tubes with Tigerfish. Will be retired one-for-one as the Vanguard-class comes online.

NUCLEAR-PROPELLED ATTACK SUBMARINES
0 + 6 Trafalger II-class
Displacement of 4,700/5,200 tons. Speed of 20/30kts. Crew of 109. Armament consists of 5 533mm torpedo tubes with Harpoon, Spearfish and Tigerfish. Included as a “what if”, bids for these would be issued in 1993, with first construction in the 1997-98 time frame.

7 Trafalgar-class SSN
S 107 Trafalgar; S 110 Turbulent; S 117 Tireless; S 118 Torbay; S 91 Trenchant; S 92 Talent;
S 93 Triumph
Displacement of 4,700/5,208 tons. Speed of 20/30kts. Crew of 103. Armament consists of 5 533mm torpedo tubes with Harpoon, Spearfish and Tigerfish.

5 Swiftsure-class SSN
S 104 Sceptre; S 108 Sovereign; S 109 Superb; S 111 Spartan; S 112 Splendid
Displacement of 4,200/4,500 tons. Speed of 20/28kts. Crew of 120. Armament consists of 5 533mm torpedo tubes with Harpoon and Tigerfish. S 126 Swiftsure has reactor problems that has resulted in her being stripped of her sail and placed in stowage, pending disposal.

[5] Valiant-class SSN
All five of this class have neared the end of their operational reactor life, rather than “refuel” them, the decision was made to strip them of their sails and place them in stowage, pending disposal.

DIESEL-ELECTRIC ATTACK SUBMARINES
3 + 1 Upholder-class SS
S 40 Upholder; S 41 Unseen; S 42 Ursula; S 43 Unicorn
Displacement of 2,185/2,400 tons. Speed of 12/20kts. Crew of 44. Armament consists of 6 533mm torpedo tubes with Harpoon, Tigerfish and Spearfish. Intended as replacements for the Oberon-class.

3 Oberon-class SS
S 16 Oracle; S 19 Opossum; S 20 Opportune
Displacement of 2,080/2,450 tons. Speed of 17.5/15kts. Crew of 68. Armament consists of 6 533mm torpedo tubes with Tigerfish. The last of the RNs conventional submarines, nine others have this class have been sold for scrap, one was sold to Canada, one will be a floating museum in Birkenhead.

GUIDED-MISSILE DESTROYERS
0 + 12 Type 84
Intended as replacements for the Type 42-class, the Type 84s will be a joint venture with the French. France, however, only needs four destroyers and wants them in the 3,500 ton range, the RN wants a larger vessel in the 7,200 ton range. Armament is planned as two 48-cell VLS for the French Aster 30 SAM, two 24-cell VLS for the British Sea Wolf SAM, a medium caliber gun, Goalkeeper CIWS and helicopters. Radar to be built by the British and the sonar by the French.

4 Type 52C (Manchester)-class DDG
D 95 Manchester; D 96 Gloucester; D 97 Edinburgh; D 98 York
Displacement of 4,775 tons. Speed of 29.5kts. Crew of 301. Armament consists of one twin Sea Dart SAM launcher, one single 114mm/55-cal Mk8, 2 Mk15 Phalanx CIWS, four single 20mm AA Guns, two triple 324mm ASW torpedo tubes and 1 Sea Lynx helo. A lengthened version of the Type 42-class that provides better seaworthiness, endurance and habitability.

8 Type 42A/B (Sheffield)-class
Type 42A: D 86 Birmingham; D 87 Newcastle; D 88 Glasgow; D 108 Cardiff
Type 42B: D 89 Exeter; D 90 Southampton; D 91 Nottingham; D 92 Liverpool
Displacement of 4,250 tons. Speed of 28kts. Crew of 299. Armament consists of one twin Sea Dart SAM launcher, one single 114mm/55-cal Mk8, two Mk15 Phalanx, four single 20mm AA Guns, two triple 324mm ASW torpedo tubes, 1 Sea Lynx helo. All eight have been extensively refitted and modernized and are essentially identical. Two, Sheffield and Coventry were sunk during the Falkland War. Considered to be “wet” and very cramped ships.

FRIGATES
10 + 8 Type 24 (Duke)-class General Purpose FF
F 230 Norfolk; F 231 Argyll; F 229 Lancaster; F 233 Marlborough; F 234 Iron Duke; F 235 Monmouth;
F 236 Montrose; F 237 Westminster; F 238 Northumberland; F 239 Richmond
Displacement of 4,200 tons. Speed of 28kts. Crew of 169.
Armament consists of two quad Harpoon SSM launchers, one 32-cell VLS Sea Wolf SAM, one single 114mm/55-caliber Mk8, two single 30mm AA Guns, two twin 324mm ASW torpedo tubes, 1 Sea Lynx helo. Intended to replace the remaining Leander-class frigates. F 229 was originally to be numbered F 232, until somebody remembered that a “Form 232” is used to report a collision or grounding! Considered to be sturdy, quiet ships.

4 Type 22, Batch 3 (Cornwall)-class General Purpose FF
F 99 Cornwall; F 85 Cumberland; F 86 Campbeltown; F 87 Chatham
Displacement of 4,850 tons. Speed of 30kts. Crew of 232. Armament consists of two quad Harpoon SSM launchers, two six-cell Sea Wolf SAM launchers, one single 114mm/55-caliber Mk8, one Goalkeeper CIWS, two single 30mm AA Guns, two triple 324mm ASW torpedo tubes and either 2 Sea Lynx or 1 Sea King helo. Third of the Type 22-class ships with the same basic hull, but adding a medium-range gun.

6 Type 22, Batch 2 (Boxer)-class ASW FF
F 92 Boxer; F 93 Beaver; F 94 Brave; F 95 London; F 96 Sheffield; F 98 Coventry;
Displacement of 4,850 tons. Speed of 30kts. Crew of 265. Armament consists of four single MM38 Exocet SSM launchers, two six-cell Sea Wolf SAM launchers, four single 20mm AA guns, two triple 324mm ASW torpedo tubes, 2 Sea Lynx or 1 Sea King helo. Has a lengthened hull to improve seaworthiness, endurance and habitability as well as provide additional space for a towed sonar array.

4 Type 22 (Broadsword-class) ASW FF
F 88 Broadsword; F 89 Battleaxe; F 90 Brilliant; F 91 Brazen
Displacement of 4,400 tons. Speed of 29kts. Crew of 239. Armament consists of four single MM38 Exocet SSM launchers, two six-cell Sea Wolf SAM launchers, two twin 30mm AA Guns, two triple 324mm ASW torpedo tubes, 2 Sea Lynx helos. Too small to be fitted with a towed sonar array. Currently modified as “Initial Sea Training Ships” with additional berthing spaces for 65 midshipmen. Can still be employed as combatants, if needed.

6 Type 21 (Amazon)-class general purpose FF
F 169 Amazon; F 171 Active; F 172 Ambuscade; F 173 Arrow; F 174 Alacrity; F 185 Avenger
Displacement of 3,360 tons. Speed of 32kts. Crew of 177. Armament consists of four single MM38 Exocet SSM launchers, one quad Sea Cat SAM launcher, one single 114mm/55-caliber Mk8, four single 20mm AA Guns, F 171, F 174, F 184 only two triple 324mm ASW torpedo tubes. 1 Sea Lynx helo. Criticized for fragility, vulnerability, over-loaded and top-heavy. Has never been capable of carrying their originally intended weapons/sensor suite. Damage suffered during the Flaklands War has required the addition of nearly 100 tons of material to strengthen the hull. Sisters Ardent and Antelope were sunk during the Falkland War. Slatted to be stricken and placed on foreign sales.

2 Sea Wolf antiaircraft missile conversions, Leander-class FF
F 57 Andromeda; F 71 Scylla
Displacement of 3,140 tons. Speed of 25kts. Crew of 260. Armament consists of four single MM38 Exocet SSM launchers, one six-cell Sea Wolf SAM launcher, four single 20mm AA Guns, two triple 324mm ASW torpedo tubes, 1 Sea Lynx helo.

2 Exocet surface to surface missile conversions, Leander-class FF
F 40 Sirius; F 56 Argonaut
Displacement of 3,300 tons. Speed of 28kts. Crew of 266. Armament consists of four single MM38 Exocet SSM launchers, two quad Sea Cat SAM launchers, two single 20mm AA Guns, two triple 324mm ASW torpedo tubes, 1 Sea Lynx helo.

Of the six remaining Leander-class frigates, two were transferred to Chile, two were transferred to Ecuador, one was paid off and one was used in structural damage trials.

3 Peacock-class Patrol Ships (based at Hong Kong)
P 239 Peacock; P 240 Plover; P 241 Starling
Displacement of 712 tons. Speed of 28kts.Crew of 36. Armament consists of 1 75mm/62 OTO Melara Compact, four single 7.62mm GPMG

2 Castle-class Patrol Ships
P 258 Leeds Castle; P 265 Dumberton Castle
Displacement of 1,550 tons. Speed of 20kts. Crew of 50 + 25 Marines. Armament consists of one sigle 30mm AA Gun, tow single 7.62mm GPMG.

7 Island-class Patrol Ships
P 277 Anglesey;P 278 Alderney;P 295 Jersey;P 297 Guernsey;P 298 Shetland;P 299 Orkney; P 300 Lindisfarne
Displacement of 1,280 tons. Speed of 16.5kts.Crew of 34. Armament consists of 1 40mm Bofors AA Gun, two single 7.62mm GPMG.

4 + 1 Sandown-class Single Role Minehunter
M 101 Sandown; M 102 Inverness; M 103 Cromer; M 104 Walney; M 105 Bridport
Displacement of 465 tons. Speed of 15kts. Crew of 34. Armament consists of one single 30mm AA Gun. Pure mine hunters, with no minesweeping capability. Uses very quiet electric drive. Hunts for mines with two remote-controlled mine disposal submersibles. Also has a mine-clearance dive team.

12 River-class Extra Deep Armed Team Sweeps
M 2003 Waveney; M 2004 Carron; M 2005 Dovey; M 2006 Helford; M 2007 Humber; M 2008 Blackwater; M 2009 Itchen; M 2010 Helmsdale; M 2011 Orwell; M 2012 Ribble; M 2013 Spey; M 2014 Arun
Displacement of 770 tons. Speed of 14kts. Crew of 30. Armament consists of 1 40mm Bofors AA Gun, two single 7.62mm GPMG. Operates in teams of two with a wire sweep.

13 Hunt-class Minehunters
M 29 Brecon; M30 Ledbury; M 31 Cattistock; M 32 Cottesmore; M 33 Brocklesby; M 34 Middleton;
M 35 Dulverton; M 36 Bicester; M 37 Chiddingfold; M 38 Atherstone; M 39 Hurworth; M 40 Berkeley; M 41 Quorn
Displacement of 725 tons. Speed of 17kts. Crew of 45. Armament consists of one single 30mm AA Gun, two single 7.62mm GPMGs, and additional two single 20mm AA Guns can be mounted in high-threat areas. Carries mine disposal divers and two remote-controlled mine location submersibles.

1 Wilton-class mine hunter
M 1116 Wilton
Displacement of 450 tons. Speed of 15kts. Crew of 37. Armament consists of one single 40mm Bofors AA Gun. First large warship with an all glass-reinforced plastic hull. Now serving as an officer training ship.

4 Ton-class mine hunters
M 1113 Brereton; M 1114 Brinton; M 1166 Nurton; M 1181 Sheraton
Displacement of 425 tons. Speed of 15kts. Crew of 37. Armament consists of one single 40mm Bofors, two single 7.62mm GPMGs. Survivors of a class of 118 completed between 1952-58.

0 + 1 assault helicopter carrier LPH
L ? ?
Displacement of 14,000 tons. Speed of 21kts? Crew of 300 + 700 Marines.
Armament consists of ?. Air Group of 12 Sea King HC.4 troop helos and 6 Sea Lynx HAS.8 helos. Ordered not to be placed until 1993 and then shortly thereafter canceled. Planned to enter service in 1998-99.

0 + 2 Ocean-class assault landing ship LPD
L ? Ocean
Displacement of 14,000 tons. Speed of 15-18kts?. Crew of 350 + 300 Marines. Armament consists of two Goalkeeper CIWS. Air Group with 4 Sea King HC.4 helos. Long awaited replacements for the Fearless-class LPDs Will be ordered in 1994 and 1996, expected to be in service in 197-98.

2 Fearless-class assault landing ships LPD
L 10 Fearless; L 11 Intrepid
Displacement of 16,950 tons.
Speed of 21kts.
Crew of 210 + 700 marines
Armament consists of two quad Sea Cat SAM launchers, two Mk15 Phalanx, two single 20mm AA Guns in L10; L 11 has two quad Sea Cat launchers, two single 40mm Bofors, two twin 30mm AA Guns and two single 20mm AA Guns. Air Group of 4 Sea King HC.4 helos. Also carries four LCVP and four LCM(9) landing craft. Can carry up to 1,000 marines for short periods of time.

1 Sir Galahad-class tank landing ship LST
L 3005 Sir Galahad
Displacement of 8,541 tons. Speed of 18kts.
Crew of 49 + 340 troops
Armament consists of normally unarmed but can be equipped with four single 20mm AA Guns. Can accommodate up to 537 troops for short periods of time. Replacement for previously-named ship sunk during the Falkland War.

4 Sir Bedivere-class tank landing ship LST
L 3004 Sir Bedivers; L 3027 Sir Geraint; L 3036 Sir Percivale; L 3505 Sir Tristram
Displacement of 5,766 tons. Speed of 17.3kts. Crew of 65 + 337 troops. Armament consists of normally unarmed, but can carry four single 20mm AA Guns. Originally a class of six, with one being sunk in the Falklands War and one sold into commercial service in 1989.

15 LCM(9)-class landing craft medium
Displacement of 176 tons. Speed of 10kts. Crew of 6. Can carry two tanks or 70 tons of cargo.

17 LCVP-class landing craft, vehicle or personnel
Displacement of 10 tons. Speed of 20kts. Crew of 3 + 35 troops. Can carry troops or 5.5-tons of cargo.

Source is the “Combat Fleets of the World: 1993”

[dude_uk]

Great work!

Does this list include the ships that probably would not have been withdrawn due to options for change?

On another note, what would have happened to the UK's Nuclear fleet? Polaris was being replaced on the one-for-one basis for Trident (as noted above). With a world war occurring, would it be an option to have both? 8 Nuclear submarines gives the UK a real 'edge'.

[dragoon500ly]

This is the Royal Navy at the start of of OfC, personnel total is down from62,000 (1991) and the first steps are taking place with the retirement of classes and the halting of some new construction and the canceling of plans for others. This would also be the start of the reported issues with the reactors on many of the nukes (the Swiftsure/Resolution-class).

My own feeling towards the status of the missile boats at the start of the Twilight War is that the Polaris boats would be retired (they date back to 1964), the big question would be if the British could rush construction of the new Trident boats in time for them to enter service.

[rcaf_777]

what about the Royal Marine Reserve (RMR)

[Rainbow Six]

Thanks for posting, dragoon, this is a useful resource. I think a few of the Leander class frigates are unaccounted for though. The RN had twenty six, seven were sunk, scrapped, or sold to overseas Navies during the 80's, which left 19, all of which suffered the same fate during the 90's. In a v1 timeline it's possible some of those 19 might have remained in service.

It's also missing HMS Endurance (A171) the RN's Antarctic patrol vessel (the original Endurance which fought in the Falklands was withdrawn from service in 1991 and replaced with a new vessel bearing the same name / pennant number). There was also a single type 82 destroyer, HMS Bristol (D23) which was converted to a training ship in 1987.

[Webstral]

Only 39 Harriers! This rather puts the fighter assets of the USN into perspective, doesn't it?

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by Rainbow Six

Thanks for posting, dragoon, this is a useful resource. I think a few of the Leander class frigates are unaccounted for though. The RN had twenty six, seven were sunk, scrapped, or sold to overseas Navies during the 80's, which left 19, all of which suffered the same fate during the 90's. In a v1 timeline it's possible some of those 19 might have remained in service.

It's also missing HMS Endurance (A171) the RN's Antarctic patrol vessel (the original Endurance which fought in the Falklands was withdrawn from service in 1991 and replaced with a new vessel bearing the same name / pennant number). There was also a single type 82 destroyer, HMS Bristol (D23) which was converted to a training ship in 1987.

Hmmm; Charybdis, Jupiter, Hermione, Cleopatra and Phoebe were all striken in the 1991-92 time frame, replaced by the new Type 22 Batch 3 and Type 23-class frigates, almost on a one-for-one basis. Juno was disarmed and is the new cadet training ship, Bristol was striken in 1991. By all accounts, these ships have been disarmed and are supposed to have been stripped of their radars/sonars and fire control equipment.

Endurance aka the Polar Circle is a unarmed fleet auxiliary. I've haven't listed any of the fleet auxiliaries for any the navies on this project, at least not yet!

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

what about the Royal Marine Reserve (RMR)

The listing of the 7,410 RM is supposed to include the Royal Marine Reserve, if anyone has any firmer numbers, PLEASE SHARE!!!!!!

[Rainbow Six]

If your source material is listing Endurance as an Royal Fleet Auxilliary ship I'm fairly certain that's incorrect. RFA ships carry the prefix RFA not HMS and Endurance is an HMS. The current Endurance was bought by the RN in 92 - prior to that she was operated for a time on a chartered basis as HMS Polar Circle, but even then she was one of Her Majesty's Ships.

The LST's listed are RFA ships though - for example the Sir Bedivere is actually the RFA Sir Bedivere.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by Rainbow Six

If your source material is listing Endurance as an Royal Fleet Auxilliary ship I'm fairly certain that's incorrect. RFA ships carry the prefix RFA not HMS and Endurance is an HMS. The current Endurance was bought by the RN in 92 - prior to that she was operated for a time on a chartered basis as HMS Polar Circle, but even then she was one of Her Majesty's Ships.

The LST's listed are RFA ships though - for example the Sir Bedivere is actually the RFA Sir Bedivere.

Combat Fleets is put out by the Naval Institute, they have Endurance listed as an Auxiliary Ship, although they do not list it as HMS or as RFA. Her mission is listed as an Antartic Territories patrol ship as well as an arctic exploration and research vessel, icebreaker and supply vessel. Her hull number is A 171 and she is listed as carrying a mixed RN/RFA crew.

[Rainbow Six]

Endurance is listed in the Fleet section of the RN's website in the Patrol and Minehunters subcategory:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Flee.../HMS-Endurance

I'm also not aware she ever sailed in arctic waters.

Whilst also listed in the Fleet section, the RFA has its own subcategory:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Flee...leet-Auxiliary

[James Langham]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

The listing of the 7,410 RM is supposed to include the Royal Marine Reserve, if anyone has any firmer numbers, PLEASE SHARE!!!!!!

Bear in mind there are also extra attached personnel, including the Army members of 29 (Commando) Rgt Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers (don't have the exact unit handy). Some medics are members of the Royal Navy (some have done the All Arms Commando Course).

Also just watch that any figure doesn't include members of the Marine Cadet Corps (part of the Sea Cadets) as these do not have any wartime service obligation.

[dude_uk]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

The listing of the 7,410 RM is supposed to include the Royal Marine Reserve, if anyone has any firmer numbers, PLEASE SHARE!!!!!!

According to HANSARD (which keeps a log of all questions and debates from the house of commons) there was a target of 1580 personnel for the Royal Marines Reserve, to be achieved by 1990.

Shown here:
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/l...es#column_1477

Wikipedia displays that there are currently between 600-1000 RMR.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by Rainbow Six

Endurance is listed in the Fleet section of the RN's website in the Patrol and Minehunters subcategory:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Flee.../HMS-Endurance

I'm also not aware she ever sailed in arctic waters.

Whilst also listed in the Fleet section, the RFA has its own subcategory:

http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/The-Flee...leet-Auxiliary

Thaks for the links! Polar Circle was based out of Norway while she was a civilian ship and when leased by the RN, was then moved south.

[dragoon500ly]

Originally Posted by James Langham

Bear in mind there are also extra attached personnel, including the Army members of 29 (Commando) Rgt Royal Artillery and Royal Engineers (don't have the exact unit handy). Some medics are members of the Royal Navy (some have done the All Arms Commando Course).

Also just watch that any figure doesn't include members of the Marine Cadet Corps (part of the Sea Cadets) as these do not have any wartime service obligation.

"Armies of NATO's Central Front" lists the Royal Marines as having:

3 Commando Brigade RM
42 Commando RM
40 Commando RM
29 Commando Regiment RRA
59 Independent Commando Squadron RE
3 Commando Brigade Air Squadron
4 Assault Squadron AM
539 Assault Squadron RM
2 Raiding Squadron RM (reserves)
289 Commando Rattery RA(V)
131 Independent Commando Squadron RE(V)
Special Boat Squadron RM (attached)

45 Commando Group
45 Commando RM
W Company, Royal Netherlands marine Corps (attached)
7 Commando Battery RA
No 4 Troop, 59 Independent Commando Squadron RE
Commachio Company RM (attached)

40 Commando RM was shown as being part of Land Forces Cyprus (British UN Contingent)

[Rainbow Six]

Originally Posted by dragoon500ly

40 Commando RM was shown as being part of Land Forces Cyprus (British UN Contingent)

That's quite possible. Bear in mind that like the British Army, Royal Marines units rotate through different postings on a regular basis. It was also normal for a Royal Marine Commando to be based in Northern Ireland during the troubles.